2023
YEAR IN REVIEW
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WHAT I'M THINKING
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Looking back at 2023, there were two major highlights.
Firstly, the growth of longstanding projects. Thanks to renewed equipment and creativity, our programs flourished, with projects like Ella’s Backyard Vlog using new YouTube features to connect with their audience, and Secret of Life taking full advantage of our new film equipment for our live broadcast to Afghanistan.
The second was new projects. We partnered with two Indigenous leaders to start programs encouraging members of Canada’s Indigenous community (look out for the second program in early 2024!), and held many productive conversations on upcoming projects in a variety of languages.
It was a successful year working towards meeting our “Operation 2030” strategy of impact growth and sustainable support, with key goals of increasing the quantity and accessibility of our programming, and widening our support base.
To God be the glory!
Shoaib Ebadi
President and Executive Director
REFLECTIONS ON 2023
WHAT WE'VE DONE
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF 2023
7
FILM FESTIVALS
screened our documentary film, Back to Square One - it won four awards in various categories.
14,000+
PLAYS
for the English children's audio program, Tales From Cottonwood Trails.
13
NEW EPISODES
of our Spanish program,
180 Grados, were produced.
17,500+
SUBSCRIBERS
reached for the Ella's Backyard YouTube channel.
1,700
TOTAL VIEWS
reached for Come Sit With Me since its launch in October.
335,900+
VIEWS
reached for Een scheenet Läwen (A Good Life).
PLANTING THE STORY:
A BIG SUCCESS
On November 8, 2023, guests gathered at The Leaf in Winnipeg and online for Planting The Story, an event showcasing the many creative and inspiring ways Square One is planting the story of Jesus in the minds of people around the world. Along with delectable hors d’oeuvres and an ice cream dessert, guests enjoyed a silent auction full of unique prizes and a program featuring presentations on Ella’s Backyard Vlog, The HIStory Endowment Project, Tales from Cottonwood Trails, and Come Sit With Me. It was a very successful evening raising awareness of and funds toward our mission.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Thank you for sharing. Hearing your story brings much hope to others experiencing similar trials."
— Barbara, commenting on Come Sit With Me (Indigenous)
INTRODUCING:
COME SIT WITH ME
Square One’s first-ever program for Indigenous audiences, Come Sit With Me, was produced when we partnered with Howard Jolly, a Cree pastor and Executive Director of the First Nations Alliance of Canada. He had a vision of sharing the Good News with his people. “A lot of my people don’t receive the Good News because of the impact of colonization and even Western thinking in connection to the church,” Howard said. “I really want to communicate Jesus in a way they would receive Him.” In both English and Cree, Come Sit With Me uses biblical teachings and stories to inspire and encourage Indigenous audiences.
A LOOK AT 2023
YEAR IN REVIEW TIMELINE
JAN
Ella's Backyard Vlog (Russian) surpasses 15,000 subscribers on YouTube.
FEB
Back to Square One starts its film festival run with winning an Audience Choice Award.
Square One hosts an open house.
An Instagram Reel by The Bible Today-Ukraine on the Qualities of Love from 1 Corinthians has 35,000 views in one day.
MAR
Square One welcomes donors for an in-house event to hear from Production Manager, Grant.
Elmwood MB brings 27 children during spring break for a tour and puppet workshop.
A woman suffering domestic violence drives from Mexico to Canada to seek counseling after seeing A Good Life (Low German).
Shoaib, Albina, and Emily travel to B.C. to meet donors and host a well-attended screening of Back to Square One.
APR
MAY
Karen Cline hired as Regional Liaison for Alberta.
Ernesto, Grant and Eli go to the Dominican Republic to film 12 interviews for 180 Grados (Spanish).
The Bible Today-Ukraine marks 400 days of war, with over 70,000km traveled to deliver aid to Ukrainians in need.
70 people gathered in Bolivia to sing and record songs for Song of the Week (Low German).
JUN
JUL
Ella's Backyard alum, Ella Aleksienkova, moves to Canada and re-joins the Russian media team, replacing Ana.
AUG
Scott Koop fills new role of Associate Director.
Square One hosts a tour for 15 teens from Youth for Christ's new Film & Media camp.
An Iranian woman gives her life to Christ live on air during Secret of Life (Dari).
SEP
OCT
NOV
First episodes of Indigenous program, Come Sit With Me with Cree pastor Howard Jolly, are released.
Joe Proulx hired as Communications Assistant.
An influential Coptic priest in Egypt requests use of School of Leadership (Arabic) to train leaders.
Planting The Story raises awareness and funds with a successful event at the Leaf and online.
The first HIStory Giving Project story is completed.
The seventh Prayer Vigil for Peace in Ukraine includes prayers for peace in Gaza.
Ingrid leaves Square One but continues to write HIStory Giving stories.
Parking lot renovation is completed (with thanks to Bill and Margaret Fast and The Buller Foundation).
Tales from Cottonwood Trails surpasses 250 followers - significant for the amount of episodes released.
Back to Square One is made available online after a year of film festivals, awards, and cross-country screenings.
